Hi all
Just joined because i would like some tips and advice on what I can do to help.
A bit of background I moved onto this property in Jan 2022 and in the back there is a lake that has several mallard ducks and moor hens living it and some fish below the surface.
The lake is protected and maintained by the service company every 6 months.
The first summer I had bunch of ducklings from the mallards and the moorhens who all survived infancy and grew up just fine.
Every year since the moorhens ducklings are fine but there's 2 batches of mallard ducklings that hatch but only seem to live a few days. There's usually at least 7 and then they seem to disappear and reduce in number over the next few days.
For example 7 ducklings hatched last week, and now from what I can tell there is only 2 left alive. I'm yet to see any remains from any around.
They don't seem to be leaving the lake and just remain in the water
I was wondering if anyone could identify what the possible cause of death is and what I can do to keep them alive for longer.
There is a heron who is around the lake occasionally but I'm yet to see it eat any babies, foxes wouldn't go into the water to get the ducklings would they?
I've included a picture of the lake, i think the eggs are laid on the island on the right side but the ducklings don't live there after hatching but can't be certain.
Thanks again
Sad news about your Mallard ducklings ... if you google about Herons you will find many comments about how they do take ducklings under about 10 days old! Also mentions of cats, dogs, stoats, weasels & more! Nature at it's most distressing to witness but they can't all survive!
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr